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Winterize Your Pets!

Category: Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Health | Tags:

Date: January 15th, 2013

WINTERIZE YOUR PET!

Snow tires? Check!  Storm windows? Check! Winter coat? Check! But what about your pets, are they ready for the cold winter months?  Here are a few things you can do to keep your pet warm, healthy and safe all season long!

WARM HIM UP!

You might laugh when you see a Chihuahua wearing a miniature coat, but there are practical justifications for a coat that keeps your animal warm, especially for small dogs.  Small breeds have a high ratio of body surface to body weight, so they lose body heat more quickly than larger dogs.  However, larger dogs too can benefit from an extra layer if they spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, especially if their coat is not too thick.

KEEP HIM DRY.

As much as you hate getting caught in a rainstorm, getting soaked can actually be worse for pets.  Their coats retain water, so the impact of the cold and dampness is greater, increasing their risk of hypothermia.  Protect your pet with a rain coat!

SOOTHE HIS SKIN

If your pet’s skin becomes red or itchy from the cold, some vets recommend washing the area with a gentle soap and applying a triple antibiotic ointment.  For a cracked nose, try a healing balm formulated for pets or A&D ointment, which you can buy at the drug store, that was recommend by my vet.

IMPROVE HIS VISIBILITY

Reflective gear is a safety essential for walks at night or in snowy, rainy or foggy weather- it helps drivers spot your animal if he bounds into traffic.  You can also get a winter coat that has reflective strips on it.  Reflective gear is even great for cats!  If your pet, cat or dog, sneaks out the front door, a reflective collar will alert drivers to his presence, and also help you better find him!  Make sure with cats, the collar is a break-away collar.

PROTECT HIS PAWS

When you tug on your snow boots, do the same for your pup if it’s icy out.  Pets can suffer frostbite, and the salt or chemicals commonly spread on streets to melt snow can irritate your dog’s paws.

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